Hearing that your child has ADD or autism for the first time is both daunting and frightening at the same time. There is a stream of fears and doubts that suddenly appear and it is usually too strong to hold it at bay; it doesn’t take long before that stream becomes overwhelming and you start panicking.

Transitioning is indeed the most difficult part for many. Your child needs extra care and specific treatments, but the child isn’t the only part of the equation. You and your partner also need to maintain balance to be able to provide proper care.

Here are some tips you can use to get started:

Start Learning:

Getting informed and knowing exactly what you’re dealing with are very important at this point. The more you know about the situation that you are in, the less likely you are to go into a panicked state and face difficulties. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources now available on the internet, so learning should not be difficult.

You also have your child’s doctor as well as a wide support network – including AutismMumma and the stories and articles I have posted on this blog. There are forums and parenting sites that will help you understand virtually anything you need to know. All you have to do is spend some time learning about autism.

Make Time:

The next thing you need to do isreorganising your life. The goal is to have a balanced life. This is important in the long run; it’s only with a balanced life that you can continue to provide your child with the best care.

If you’re trying to finish a nursing degree, for example, consider transferring to an online nursing program from reputable universities such as ADU Online. You can earn a bachelor of science in nursing while staying home with your child when you transfer to an online course.

Don’t forget to improve the quality of the time you spend with the child too. There is no point in accompanying your child for an hour when it is right after work and you are too tired to pay attention.

Naturally, you also want to add enough time for a good night sleep or some rest at the end of every day.

Stay Consistent:

Children with autism respond well to routines and schedules; in fact, they love them. It doesn’t take long for your child to develop a routine. Unless you are part of that development process, you may end up with schedules that don’t work for both you and your child.

Be an active part of the process and develop routines together. This way, you can always be in sync with the child and you can avoid further problems down the line. Consistency is also a big part of the whole experience, so remember to remain consistent with what you expect from your child and the way you handle different situations.

Here’s one last tip I can give you based on my personal experience: take your time. You have all the time in the world to get it right. Enjoy the experience every step of the way and you can provide the best environment for your child sooner than you think.